A couple of days ago I started my response to the few inquiries about the status of Notre Dame Hockey. Being closely involved as I am, I thought that I could enlighten those of you who actually care what is happening here in Northern Indiana. I started my little essay by stating right up front that all persons i.e. little essay by stating right up front that all persons(i.e.coaches, and hockey fans) close to N.D. Hockey strongly favored the proposal to upgrade the program so that it might become a member of the CCHA. If N.D. were to join the CCHA it would probably only do so with 14.5 scholarships instead of the full maximum of 18. Still, we felt, we could become representative and competitive in short order. At least we thing so! Just joining the league would help us recruit more talented players. We could use a full scholarships for that special "blue chip" player and divide us the rest. I went on to explain the our athletic department was "actively considering membership in the CCHA" at least that is what I had read in the paper. The proposal was made to our executive vice President of the University on May 1. We have now entered our 18th week of contemplation on this matter. I was lamenting all of this when, suddenly, my whole screen went black before I could send my message. I thought for certain that my message had gone via the Golden Dome and was immediately aborted. Alas, no one has come to my office seeking an explanation so I guess that it is safe to assume that my black out was a power surge or some other electrical quirk and NOT the result of administrative subterfuge afterall. To make a long story even longer, Notre Dame simply has not yet decided whether or not to join Division I hockey in a more favorable way. I can only hope that the discussion will resume before the football season begins. If it does not, it might be January 2 before it is discussed again. My final comment is this: Notre Dame is a great place with or without a bona fide Division I hockey team. It could simply be so much better a place if it did! Bye for now, Ric Schafer